PREP YEAR IN REVIEW: Boys Bowler of the Year Jeff Gump, Jersey

Jeff Gump led the way at state for Jersey

Pete Hayes, phayes@civitasmedia.com

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7:00 am CDT, Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Photo: Billy Hurst | For The Telegraph

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Jersey’s Jeff Gump helped his team make it to the final day of the IHSA Boys State Bowling Tournament last season. the Panthers finished ninth and Gump was 21st in the state. He is The Telegraph Boys Bowler of the Year. less

Jersey’s Jeff Gump helped his team make it to the final day of the IHSA Boys State Bowling Tournament last season. the Panthers finished ninth and Gump was 21st in the state. He is The Telegraph Boys Bowler ... more

Photo: Billy Hurst | For The Telegraph

PREP YEAR IN REVIEW: Boys Bowler of the Year Jeff Gump, Jersey

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JERSEYVILLE — Jeff Gump had an inkling that the Jersey High boys bowling team might have a decent season. But he admitted that even he wasn’t thinking about a top 10 finish in the state.

Well, the Panthers did just that. And Gump, a junior, led the way at the IHSA Boys State Bowling Tournament, advancing all the way to 21st in the state by the time the pinsetters were turned off at O’Fallon’s St. Clair Bowl.

“I knew we had a good team,” Gump said. “I expected us to do well. But I didn’t have any idea we would go as far as we did.

“It was an honor to make it to state. To be around all those people and all those good bowlers was amazing. It was the best of the best.”

And he was one of them.

Gump and the Panthers, who tied Highland for the Mississippi Valley Conference championship, also captured the team title at the Taylorville Regional Tournament and advanced to the state tourney with a sixth-place finish at the Cahokia Sectional, nosing out rival Highland by 44 pins.

“We had good team chemistry,” Gump said. “We were always picking each other up and we worried about each other.”

At state, Gump was Jersey’s highest finisher with 2,689 pins. His series scores during the Saturday final sessions were 678 and 645 and his top game score was a 248.

Gump may have been the Panthers’ highest finisher at state, but there were other Jersey bowlers who made their marks as well. Jersey senior Jacob Freand finished 25th with a grad total of 2,664. He had series scores of 651 and 670 Saturday and his top games were a pair of 243 scores. And senior Brandon Handler finished 45th with a grand total of 2,605. Saturday, he had series of 659 and 674. His top game was a 255.

“Those three guys who had really nice tourneys,” Skinner said. “Overall, our team did a good job. Our guys are always there for each other and there’s always been someone to step up when we needed it.”

The rest of Jersey’s scores included senior Dane Farmer who had a grand total of 2,395 on Saturday series scores of 569 and 555 that included a top game score of 201, and senior Kevin Mangrum, who had a two-day total of 2,394 on Saturday series scores of 591 and 608 with a high Saturday game of 224 in the first game of the day.

Gump, who bowls left-handed, said his formula for succeeding was indeed simple.

“What helped me get going good was that I try to keep it as simple as possible,” he said. “Don’t try to over-think things.

Skinner said that on a team that was in the midst of a dream season, Gump was a coach’s dream.

“He’s a great kid,” Skinner said. “He’s very dedicated and has a wonderful work ethic.”

Gump returned the kudos his coach’s way.

“Coach Skinner is always good at keeping everyone up,” Gump said. “Every time I needed help or he had a suggestion, he was right 99 percent of the time. I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can do next season.”

In the meantime, Gump continues to bowl in leagues at Tri County Bowl as well as at Bowl Haven.

“I’m pretty loyal to both bowling alleys,” Gump said. “The best way to get better is to keep bowling.”

Skinner said that attitude will help Gump as a senior.

“I’m looking forward for his senior year,” Skinner said, “and if he continues to improve, I believe he could be solid in getting back to the state tournament.”